After wresting control of the Monkees from Don Kirschner and recording the very good Headquarters album as a mostly self-contained unit, the bandmembers returned to using studio musicians to augment their sound as well as looking outside the group for the majority of the songs on their fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Whatever the reason for the decision, the resulting album is one of their best. Filled with hooky pop like "She Hangs Out" and the Harry Nilsson-penned "Cuddly Toy," psychedelic ravers "Daily Nightly" and "Star Collector" (both of which feature the newly invented Moog synthesizer), Mike Nesmith-produced rockers ("Love Is Only Sleeping"), and allads (the lovely "Don't Call on Me"), the album is filler-free and fun-filled. That it contains three of their finest songs ("Words," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," and the song that "invented" country-rock for better or for worse, "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?") means that not only is it one of the Monkees' best, it is one of 1967's best. To think that both this album and Headquarters came out the same year! Most bands would be lucky to have two albums this good come out their entire career. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is a must-have for any fan of smart, fun, and exciting '60s pop. It doesn't get much better than this. [Rhino's 1995 reissue of the album adds seven previously unreleased songs including alternate versions of "Daily Nightly" and "Star Collector."]
I realized this morning I've been unfair to The Monkees for over 30 years.Well, maybe not unfair to all of them - I can't speak for Davey, Mickey, and Peter. But I've been a huge fan of Michael Nesmith since Pete introduced me to his 1972 solo album "And The Hits Just Keep on Comin'" ten years ago. It's a masterpiece of country rock, recorded in Nesmith's home studio with only "Red" Rhodes on p...
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I always love that moment on my commute to/from work when the song that comes on my iPod just perfectly fits the moment. It was as if some film director planned it out or something. I can't pinpoint what makes a good commute song. There are many factors involved including my mood, the weather, and the vibe in the train/bus. Often times songs by Blur, Pulp, Supertramp, and The Monkees seem t...
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 "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.")
